Karen Caddies

Ashfield Girls' High School School

website: www.ashfieldgirls.org/

Subject:  Classroom Assistant.

Your place of birth: Belfast.

Studied at: Ashfield Girls' High School.

First job: Classroom assistant.

What it taught me: To believe in yourself. Whatever you put your mind to, you can do it!

Family/status: Married, two daughters.

Best advice anyone ever gave you: When I started my job as a CA, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue on for my career. A friend and (former teacher) told me how good she thought I was at the job and that she thought I was a natural. I am very glad I listened to her!

Best advice you could give someone thinking of a teaching career: Being a classroom assistant is the most rewarding job ever. It feels great at the end of the day that you can go home and know that you have made a child’s life a little bit easier.

I've been working at Ashfield since I was 18 years old. I am also a former pupil of the school. My Ashfield family have been there for me through the good times in my life and the bad times in my life. Teachers who taught me have become treasured friends and people who I constantly look to for guidance. I have worked with many pupils over the years. I can honestly say that I have loved every single pupil I have ever worked with. I have many wonderful memories that I will have with me for the rest of my life. I am so grateful that I have the opportunity every day to impact the lives of future generations, regardless of how small.